Enzyme-Hydrolyzed Starch Blending with Biodegradable Polyesters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional starch-based biodegradable materials face challenges due to poor blending of native starch with polymers, leading to inadequate mechanical strength and limited applications, and chemical modification introduces undesired residues and low degradability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving enzyme-hydrolyzed starch blended with biodegradable polyesters like polybutylene succinate and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, along with additives such as plasticizers and strength-improving agents, to enhance mechanical properties and biodegradability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If native starch is blended with polymer to enhance mechanical strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but blending efficiency deteriorates due to poor compatibility caused by stereo-hindrance of molecular structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidblending efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure of native starch through enzymatic hydrolysis, which breaks down the large molecular groups (amylose and amylopectin) into smaller units. This structural modification reduces stereo-hindrance and improves compatibility with polymers, enabling effective blending while maintaining mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing enzyme-hydrolyzed starch as a modified starch component that acts as a bridge between native starch and polymer. The enzymatic treatment creates intermediate molecular structures that are more compatible with polymers, facilitating better blending efficiency without requiring complex chemical modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If chemically modified starch is used to enhance blending efficiency, then blending efficiency is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates due to undesired chemical residue and low microorganism degradable rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblending efficiencyVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical modification methods with enzymatic hydrolysis, substituting a chemical process with a biological one. Enzymes naturally occur in nature and are fully biodegradable, so using enzyme-hydrolyzed starch maintains biodegradability while achieving the desired blending efficiency, avoiding the harmful chemical residues associated with conventional chemical modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs enzymes as temporary, biodegradable catalysts that perform their function during processing and then decompose completely. These enzymes are natural, inexpensive, and leave no persistent residues, making them ideal for applications where biodegradability is critical. The enzymes facilitate starch modification during manufacturing but disappear entirely in the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If enzyme-hydrolyzed starch is used to improve biodegradability, then biodegradability is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates resulting in poor tensile strength

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining enzyme-hydrolyzed starch with polymer components. The composite structure leverages the biodegradability of enzyme-hydrolyzed starch while the polymer matrix provides the necessary mechanical strength and tensile properties. This synergistic combination allows the final material to achieve both high biodegradability and adequate mechanical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach results in starch-based biodegradable materials with improved mechanical strength, stability, and biodegradability, suitable for various applications including films, bags, and agricultural mulch, while ensuring environmental compliance through complete decomposition into carbon dioxide and water.

Implementation Method 1

hydrolyzing a native starch using a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS8110380B2Starch-based biodegradable material composition

Publication Date: 2012.02.07 GRABIO GREENTECH CORP

AI summary

A starch-based biodegradable material composition includes: an enzyme-hydrolyzed starch; and a biodegradable polyester selected from at least one of an aliphatic polyester of polybutylene succinate and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester. The enzyme-hydrolyzed starch is prepared by hydrolyzing a native starch using a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme. The starch-hydrolyzing enzyme has an activity unit ranging from 15000 to 40000.